WRIGHT, Orville (1871-1948) and Wilbur (1867-1912). Letter signed by Orville Wright ('Wright Brothers O.W.') to Carl Dienstbach, Dayton, Ohio, 27 March 1907, one page, 4to.

WRIGHT, Orville (1871-1948) and Wilbur (1867-1912). Letter signed by Orville Wright ('Wright Brothers O.W.') to Carl Dienstbach, Dayton, Ohio, 27 March 1907, one page, 4to.

'WE DO NOT KNOW WHEN WE WILL MAKE OUR NEXT FLIGHT, NOR WHERE'. Dienstbach has written inviting the Wright brothers to make an exhibition flight for the Aero Club; Wright expresses his gratitude for the club's interest, but 'we are of the opinion that it would not be best for us to take the time from our other work just now that would be necessary to perform such a flight'. There is uncertainty as to their next flight, but 'it would certainly give us pleasure if the opportunity permits us to extend an invitation to you'.

Carl Dienstbach was the New York correspondent of the Illustrierte Aeronautische Mitteilungen, and had been in touch with the Wright brothers since their earliest flights in January 1904. The Aero Club of America was founded in New York by a circle of rich enthusiasts in 1905. The wary tone of the Wright brothers' response to their invitation may be explained by concerns over other engineers copying features of the Wright Flyer: a number of rival designers, including Glenn Curtiss and August Herring, wer members of the Club.